Implementation of Prehospital Trauma Triage Guidelines Decreases Mortality of Trauma Patients

• Published in: Nihon Kyukyu Igakukai Zasshi 2005/05/15, Vol.16(5), pp.209-217
• Main Authors: Mizobata, Yasumitsu, Yokota, Junichiro, Ishikawa, Kazuo, Idoguchi, Koji, Nishiuchi, Tatsuya, Ueno, Masato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: prehospital triage; preventable trauma death; trauma system; triage guideline
• ISSN: 0915-924X; 1883-3772
• DOI: 10.3893/jjaam.16.209

Background: Prehospital trauma triage is one of the most essential components of a trauma system. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) field triage guidelines were implemented in suburban Osaka where a trauma system has not yet been established, and effectiveness of the guidelines for regional trauma care was evaluated. Methods: The ACS trauma triage guidelines were applied to the emergency medical service beginning in January 2001, and trauma patients meeting the step 1 to step 3 criteria were to be transported directly to our institution, which functions as a level I-II trauma center. Data was obtained for blunt trauma patients admitted during the period January 1999 through December 2000 and for those admitted during after implementation of the guidelines, during the period September 2001 through August 2003. Transport data, injury severity and mortality were compared between the two groups. Results: The number of blunt trauma patients admitted to our institution increased from 270 (January 1999-December 2001) to 501 after implementation of the guidelines (September 2001-August 2003). There was no statistically significant difference between the two blunt trauma groups in the direct transport time from the trauma scene to our institution. The number of minor trauma (ISS